Gotta make a decision. Argh.
Discussion
Went to view and test drive a Hyundai i40 tourer yesterday. Love the model, spec, the way it drove and the condition, which is immaculate inside and out.
I slept on it but haven't woken up feeling 'it', though - not because of the model and spec, but because of a few reservations:
a/ It's priced £2k below market value according to loads of sources including the seller, who is a builder who has begun selling cars on the side to maybe switch professions in due course. He specialises in small, sub-£1k cars, so just wants to get shot of the large Hyundai estate after a family friend tasked him with selling it. His friend even said the too-cheap price may be why he's not had loads of enquiries, people thinking it's too cheap to be true/any good, so he may increase the price if I don't want it.
b/ It's a 62-plate and still has a year left on the manufacturer's warranty, but it's down as 3 owners, which to me seems concerning in a 4-year-old car. I thought Hyundai owners were loyal and kept their cars longer than a year each.
c/ In its favour, the four services have all been done by the same Hyundai dealer and it passed its 2nd MoT last week with flying colours, no advisories.
d/ The nearside alloys are badly kerbed, which I kind of expected as it was a retired person who previously owned it. With 50k on the clock, 12.5k miles per year is reasonable, so it's not been "just sat there", but what worries me is the coolant was so low it was more or less empty. The chap offered to top it up, but am I within my rights to start farting around asking him to get it mechanically checked or even serviced for the asking price (that we must remember is £2k below market value)?
So, it's a car that drives well, has been looked after and is in good condition, with low mileage for the age and a FSH, but it's had one owner per year of its life, the coolant is nearly empty and the wheels are kerbed. My current car cost me £2k three months after I bought it, so I guess I'm worried the same will happen here, so just wanted folks' thoughts kindly.
I slept on it but haven't woken up feeling 'it', though - not because of the model and spec, but because of a few reservations:
a/ It's priced £2k below market value according to loads of sources including the seller, who is a builder who has begun selling cars on the side to maybe switch professions in due course. He specialises in small, sub-£1k cars, so just wants to get shot of the large Hyundai estate after a family friend tasked him with selling it. His friend even said the too-cheap price may be why he's not had loads of enquiries, people thinking it's too cheap to be true/any good, so he may increase the price if I don't want it.
b/ It's a 62-plate and still has a year left on the manufacturer's warranty, but it's down as 3 owners, which to me seems concerning in a 4-year-old car. I thought Hyundai owners were loyal and kept their cars longer than a year each.
c/ In its favour, the four services have all been done by the same Hyundai dealer and it passed its 2nd MoT last week with flying colours, no advisories.
d/ The nearside alloys are badly kerbed, which I kind of expected as it was a retired person who previously owned it. With 50k on the clock, 12.5k miles per year is reasonable, so it's not been "just sat there", but what worries me is the coolant was so low it was more or less empty. The chap offered to top it up, but am I within my rights to start farting around asking him to get it mechanically checked or even serviced for the asking price (that we must remember is £2k below market value)?
So, it's a car that drives well, has been looked after and is in good condition, with low mileage for the age and a FSH, but it's had one owner per year of its life, the coolant is nearly empty and the wheels are kerbed. My current car cost me £2k three months after I bought it, so I guess I'm worried the same will happen here, so just wanted folks' thoughts kindly.
I used to be a V8 barge kind of guy but have had my fingers burnt in many areas of life in recent years, hence liking to see good ol' "one owner" cars.
I'll research to see if Hyundai's warranty covers the radiator, for example, as I know certain components are only covered for some of that time. I'm also led to believe that Hyundai doesn't allow the warranty to be extended after 5 years, unlike some other firms.
I'll research to see if Hyundai's warranty covers the radiator, for example, as I know certain components are only covered for some of that time. I'm also led to believe that Hyundai doesn't allow the warranty to be extended after 5 years, unlike some other firms.
This is the car, by the way:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I guess paying £2k more at a dealer is a bit steep if it just means I get correspondence and invoices on a letterhead, etc.
PS - forgot to mention the tyres are all budget Three-A P606, but have good tread and wear left on them.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
I guess paying £2k more at a dealer is a bit steep if it just means I get correspondence and invoices on a letterhead, etc.
PS - forgot to mention the tyres are all budget Three-A P606, but have good tread and wear left on them.
Edited by ollyhammond on Tuesday 27th September 08:01
Id say go for it. There is such a thing as a desperate seller and a 'bargain' out there. Recently had a similar experience myself buying a car that was ~£1500 cheaper than I thought it should be (which is a lot considering I paid £2300 for the car and the dealer rate was in the late £3000s). I was the cynic too but asides from some minor body damage which the seller was completely open about (someone keyed the s
t out of it at some point) and a "That could happen at any time without warning" fault within a month of ownership I have had no problems.
Go over it with a fine tooth come, test the water and see how much you can get knocked off the price and provided its all hunky dory go for it! Worst comes to worst and something does crop up then shove it back up for sale, if you paid below the market rate for it it would be easy to shift provided re-covering up the fault is within your morals. If he is infact a small trader you also have a small amount of comeback if anything major is broken.
Another point to consider, since it is a small trader, it is possible he is trading with 'private sale' rates since he just does things on the side, if you want an idea of the private value of it (stealers always add a chunk) check out some comparable cars on Gumtree.
As for the previous owners, ask how long the previous owner has had it, it is pretty common for a car to change hands a few times right out the factory if it has been used as a demo car or registered display vehicle.
t out of it at some point) and a "That could happen at any time without warning" fault within a month of ownership I have had no problems. Go over it with a fine tooth come, test the water and see how much you can get knocked off the price and provided its all hunky dory go for it! Worst comes to worst and something does crop up then shove it back up for sale, if you paid below the market rate for it it would be easy to shift provided re-covering up the fault is within your morals. If he is infact a small trader you also have a small amount of comeback if anything major is broken.
Another point to consider, since it is a small trader, it is possible he is trading with 'private sale' rates since he just does things on the side, if you want an idea of the private value of it (stealers always add a chunk) check out some comparable cars on Gumtree.
As for the previous owners, ask how long the previous owner has had it, it is pretty common for a car to change hands a few times right out the factory if it has been used as a demo car or registered display vehicle.
ollyhammond said:
...but what worries me is the coolant was so low it was more or less empty. The chap offered to top it up
Riiight. But why's it dropped in the first place?ollyhammond said:
but am I within my rights to start farting around asking him to get it mechanically checked or even serviced
Of course you are. You can ask him to do whatever you like - you can ask him for naked photos of himself draped all over the boot, if it floats your boat. He can, of course, refuse.ollyhammond said:
Phoned Hyundai UK and they said getting leather seats professionally fitted or the current seat faces re-trimmed could invalidate any future warranty claims. Leather was one of my criteria you see.
It'd certainly invalidate any claims regarding the seats - but that's about it...But, if leather is a "must have", why are you even considering buying a - let's be honest, utterly generic - car without, then retrimming it?
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